Seven Parks Awarded Green Flag

Seven parks across Blackpool have been awarded the prestigious Green Flag Award, a national benchmark for well-managed parks and green spaces, presented by Keep Britain Tidy.

The sites are among 2,250 across the UK to receive the Green Flag Award, the international quality mark for parks and green spaces.

This outstanding achievement - with all seven of Blackpool’s entries receiving awards - highlights the dedication and hard work invested into maintaining the town’s green spaces.

The success reflects a strong collaboration between Blackpool Council’s Parks and Open Green Spaces Service, Enveco NW Environmental Services and the dedicated efforts of local ‘Friends of’ groups, whose volunteers work regularly to ensure the parks remain safe, welcoming spaces for the whole community.

New for 2025, five parks received Green Flag Awards, while Devonshire Road Rock Gardens and Highfield Road retained their awards from the previous year.

Judges praised the newly awarded parks for their strong community focus and excellent management:

• Anchorsholme Park: “The site features a large, well-maintained inclusive play area demonstrating that all are welcome.” Judges also noted the passion of local stakeholders: “Everybody we met on the day, from Friends groups to Council staff, were passionate about their local park and determined to make it the best it can be.”

• Crossland Road Park: “The trees are managed proactively and are an important feature of the park, providing shade and habitat for bats and other species.”

• Kingscote Park: “The park offers different areas and activities to suit a variety of people.”

• Stanley Park: “This is an extremely large and diverse park with many attractions and sports facilities. The Friends Group in particular is excellent – actively involved in maintaining parts of the park, events, fundraising and helping promote the site. For example, winning the ‘best park’ award three times and the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service.

• Watson Road Park: “The Friends and volunteers are a credit to the park, which is a lovely green space in a built-up area that should be cherished. It’s great to see the staff interacting with the volunteers.”

Judges also commended the behind-the-scenes efforts made by the Council’s parks team, noting: “There is clear management commitment to improving parks to Green Flag standard, which is noticeable.”
Councillor Jane Hugo, Blackpool Council Deputy Leader (Place) and Cabinet Member for Climate Change, commented:
 
“To receive Green Flag Awards for all seven of our entries is a fantastic achievement for Blackpool and a testament to the incredible teamwork and community pride that goes into looking after our parks.
 
“We are very proud of our green spaces and the strength of the partnerships we’ve built with local volunteers and organisations.
 
“A huge thank you and well done to everyone who contributes to making these parks places we can all enjoy.
 
“This is a fantastic achievement for Blackpool and a testament to the incredible teamwork and community pride that goes into looking after our parks.”
 
Green Flag Award Scheme Manager, Paul Todd MBE, said:
 
"Congratulations to everyone involved in the award-winning parks across Blackpool, whose tireless efforts have helped them achieve the high standards required for Green Flag status.
 
“Quality parks and green spaces make the country a heathier place to live and work in, and a stronger place in which to invest.
 
“Crucially, these parks are vital green spaces for communities in Blackpool to enjoy nature, and during the ongoing cost of living crisis it is a free and safe space for families to socialise. It also provides important opportunities for local people and visitors to reap the physical and mental health benefits of green space.”
 
The Green Flag Award scheme, managed by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy under licence from the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government, recognises and rewards well-managed parks and green spaces, setting the benchmark standard for the management of green spaces across the United Kingdom and around the world.